Students see another tuition hike
Albane Flamant
Issue date: 6/15/09 Section: Campus News
The ERAU Board of Trustees has announced a new increase in student tuition for the next academic year in order to remedy to a budget deficit, bringing the overall tuition up by four percent.
This budget deficit from the previous fiscal year mainly resulted from increased fixed costs (healthcare and utilities), graduates not paying back their Perkin loans and dwindling student enrollment.
Also, part of the increase allowed the university's financial aid budget to be raised by more than 4.3 million dollars to reach a total of 40 million for the academic year of 2009-2010.
"We truly regret having to take this action, but we feel that it is both necessary and essential that we take all these additional steps in order manage our fixed costs and maintain the high quality standards that everyone expects of Embry-Riddle," said ERAU Vice President Richard Heist in an email sent to the student body.
Eric Weekes, the University's Chief Financial Officer, suggested that the increased financial aid budget will help students cope with that extra tuition burden.
Various steps were taken before the decision to raise tuition one more time had to be reached. In addition to the previous hiring freeze, 73 positions were eliminated throughout the different campuses and energy costs were reduced.
This last initiative mainly involved the update of the university's chiller system as well as raising the thermostats all around campus. In the future, the administration is considering the installation of solar energy for the Student Center as well as for other parts of campus.
The university as a whole is becoming more efficient. While capital spending and travel have been restricted throughout the departments, the SGA is also doing its share.
"As a [Student Government Association], we still maintain that the burden is still upon students who already carry a large amount," said SGA President Bryan Dietz in an email to his fellow SGA members. "This is why the SGA continues to meet with Dr. Johnson and Dr. Heist. We continue to discuss with both these leaders on how we can operate more efficiently."
In this email, Dietz cited a few examples of the SGA's work to make the campus more efficient, such as their recycling program or the fact that the SGA fees haven't gone up in six years while offering more services.
This overall four percent increase will result in an additional 1056 dollars for each student of the Daytona Beach, Prescott and Worldwide campuses.
This budget deficit from the previous fiscal year mainly resulted from increased fixed costs (healthcare and utilities), graduates not paying back their Perkin loans and dwindling student enrollment.
Also, part of the increase allowed the university's financial aid budget to be raised by more than 4.3 million dollars to reach a total of 40 million for the academic year of 2009-2010.
"We truly regret having to take this action, but we feel that it is both necessary and essential that we take all these additional steps in order manage our fixed costs and maintain the high quality standards that everyone expects of Embry-Riddle," said ERAU Vice President Richard Heist in an email sent to the student body.
Eric Weekes, the University's Chief Financial Officer, suggested that the increased financial aid budget will help students cope with that extra tuition burden.
Various steps were taken before the decision to raise tuition one more time had to be reached. In addition to the previous hiring freeze, 73 positions were eliminated throughout the different campuses and energy costs were reduced.
This last initiative mainly involved the update of the university's chiller system as well as raising the thermostats all around campus. In the future, the administration is considering the installation of solar energy for the Student Center as well as for other parts of campus.
The university as a whole is becoming more efficient. While capital spending and travel have been restricted throughout the departments, the SGA is also doing its share.
"As a [Student Government Association], we still maintain that the burden is still upon students who already carry a large amount," said SGA President Bryan Dietz in an email to his fellow SGA members. "This is why the SGA continues to meet with Dr. Johnson and Dr. Heist. We continue to discuss with both these leaders on how we can operate more efficiently."
In this email, Dietz cited a few examples of the SGA's work to make the campus more efficient, such as their recycling program or the fact that the SGA fees haven't gone up in six years while offering more services.
This overall four percent increase will result in an additional 1056 dollars for each student of the Daytona Beach, Prescott and Worldwide campuses.
Viewing Comments 1 - 3 of 4
Romeo Russo
posted 6/17/09 @ 10:43 PM EST
To all pilots!
Does it make any sense? If you are lucky enough to actually get a job, congrats, but just consider how long you will have to work in order to pay that back at $20k per year!!!! Pilots should get a discount, or at least a class on how to efficiently obtain wellfare benefits. (Continued…)
Orlando Movers
posted 6/23/09 @ 3:26 PM EST
"part of the increase allowed the university's financial aid budget to be raised by more than 4.3 million dollars"
Interesting, so basically enrolled students are paying for the financial aid that goes to other students? That doesn't seem right. (Continued…)
Alumni
posted 9/09/09 @ 4:47 PM EST
Um, The SGA President doesn't count the "building and facilitiy fee" that was put in place by SGA President Matt Collier a fee increase? I believe it was to the tune of $75 to $150 a person. (Continued…)
Post a Comment